Away from the distraction of its new high-profile politics, Wayanad's worries seemed very down to earth, discovers Shyam G Menon.
Budget-makers in North Block are looking to maintain this fiscal status quo, in spite of tax revenues nowhere close to where the government wants and in spite of possible higher expenditure commitments.
Ex-servicemen on Tuesday started returning their medals to protest the government notification on implementation of 'one rank-one pension', which they have rejected, and hit back at Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar who termed the agitationists as misguided.
Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar on Tuesday said the behaviour of war veterans protesting the notification on OROP scheme is "unlike that of a soldier".
Modi, while addressing the 150th anniversary programme of Kolkata Port Trust, invoked Mookerjee and B R Ambedkar and said their contributions had led to the development of the country post Independence, but suggestions made by them were not implemented after they resigned from the government.
Ignore these and you will end holding duds
The PFRDA Act would give statutory status to the pensions sector regulator, and in addition to other objectives, aims to address apprehensions regarding safety and yield under the National Pension System.
'Modi's health scheme has changed the national conversation. For that reason it must be supported.'
You can still save money, says Samkit Maniar
The PM asserted that 'we know how to take challenges head-on'.
While no specific state-oriented sops were rolled out, a strong thread of political wellness ran through the Budget.
Anil Rego, CEO, Right Horizons, answers your personal income tax queries.
Anil Rego, CEO, Right Horizons, answers your personal income tax queries.
Families with tax-paying members, government employees, professionals, among those who have been exempted from the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN) scheme.
Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar has asked the Indian Air Force to focus on safety and conservation of available resources as he interacted with top commanders in New Delhi just days after India decided to buy 36 Rafale jets.
Else, repent when you reach your golden years
Since jobs will remain scarce for the foreseeable future, an unemployment allowance should be the next big social-security initiative, suggests T N Ninan.
Evaluate recurring investment products and do the numbers before making any investments.
Aadhaar now has legal backing but it still faces challenges of privacy and data sharing
But do not expect the finance minister to fulfil all these wishes
The government should now focus on governance and monitoring the supply side to manage inflation, says M V Subramanian.
This race among parties to woo the farmers mainly stems from the analysis of political pundits that the peasant class played a crucial role in the defeat of the BJP in Rajasthan, MP and Chhattisgarh.
Free provision of food, cash transfers, and jobs in villages see enhanced flow of funds despite a precipitous fall in revenue. Till May, defence spend was nearly 30 per cent less than the previous year.
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Taxpayer will also have to forego deduction under 80CCC (contribution towards certain pension fund), Section 80D (health insurance), 80E (interest on loan for higher education), 80EE (interest on loan taken for residential property), 80EEB (purchase of electric vehicle), 80G (donation to charitable institutions), and 80G (rent paid).
Omkeshwar Singh, Head, Rank MF, a mutual fund investment platform, answers your queries.
For the first time in the state's history, over 10,000 thousand farmers have gone on strike.
The 'partial withdrawal' is however allowed only after 10 years of contribution by the subscriber, said the draft guidelines by the Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority.
Restrict investment to Rs 50,000 for tax benefits, experts tell Sanjay Kumar Singh, but caution that taxation at maturity and compulsory annuities are dampers.
Omkeshwar Singh, head, Rank MF, a mutual fund investment platform, answers your queries.
The RBI 'assured people' that enough cash in small denominations is also available at banks.
It is worrisome that salaries are consuming as much expenditure as equipment.
The 40 per cent exemption benefit is applicable only for employees.
Good news soon on the long-standing demand of ex-servicemen, promises Manohar Parrikar
When Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman tables her Budget on February 1, the numbers could be something to cheer.
A group of ex-servicemen on Monday announced that they will boycott all official functions, including ongoing 50th anniversary celebrations of the victory in 1965 war, in protest against delay over implementation of "One Rank One Pension" by the government.
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Denmark has been rated as the country with the best retirement system in the world.
Jaitley is expected to present a common man friendly Budget.
'The rate of interest from the EPF is still attractive compared to the rates on fixed deposits, National Savings Scheme, Public Provident Fund...'
To help the country emerge as a true welfare State, political parties must put the country's interests first before strategising to win elections and short-term goals, argues Ramesh Menon.
The ten central trade unions have demanded a cash transfer of Rs 7,500 a month to all families that do not pay income tax, free ration of 10 kg per head in a month to all the needy, expansion of the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment scheme to cover more days of job, withdrawal of labour codes and farm bills, halt on privatisation, universal pension coverage and withdrawal of "draconian" circular on forced premature retirement of government officials.
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